Mountain Brew: A High-Spirited Guide to Country-Style Beer Making

by Tim Matson, Lee Anne Dorr

The 1970s classic that sparked the homebrewing revolution in Vermont Long before Heady Topper or Hill Farmstead, Vermont was already at the forefront of the American beer revolution. In the 1970s, the big-name brews like Bud and Coors ruled the roost, and homebrewed beer was still as illegal as moonshine. But a small group of Vermonters―people like Tim Matson and Lee Anne Dorr―weren't the kind to let a little thing like the law stop them from enjoying their own brews. They shared their concoctions with friends and family and then went a step publishing the first homebrewer's guide since Prohibition and selling it out of the back of their truck.

Now, forty years later, that groundbreaking book is back. Featuring a brand-new introduction, Mountain Brew shows you how to produce homemade malt, grow your own hops, and keep away thirsty neighbors who want to steal your hooch. Through recipes and colorful stories from their day, let these Green Mountain boys (and girls) show you how to make better beer than you'd ever find at the local watering hole. 25 B&W Illustrations

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2015

About the author

Tim Matson, writer, humorist, photographer, pond designer & homebrewer was born in New York City, grew up in New England, and pulled a tour in the US Army in the 60s. After four years working on the titles of Abbie Hoffman, Joe McGinniss and a series of Rolling Stone paperbacks, as an editor in a major New York City publishing house, Matson upped & moved to rural Vermont, as part of the 70s counter culture back-to-the-land movement.

In the 70s Matson lensed the Pilobolus Dance Theatre genesis years in “Pilobolus” a photographic essay published by Random House, winner of two American Institute for Graphic Arts awards. In the 70s he co-authored and self-published "Mountain Brew: A High Spirited Guide to Country Style Beer Making", considered a foundational document of the global craft beer movement. In 2015 "Mountain Brew" was honored by Countryman Press with an expanded 40th anniversary edition, including original recipes, new writings and classic photos.

During the construction of his sustainable Vermont home, Matson also built his pond, leading him to work on the art & science of pond designs & pond uses. Matson's pond books and videos have sold more than 100,000 copies. Published by W.W. Norton, titles include "Earth Ponds: The Country Pond Maker's Guide to Building, Maintenance, and Restoration"; and "Earth Ponds A to Z, An Illustrated Encyclopedia". Matson's articles have been published in Audubon, Mother Earth News, Yankee, Vermont Life, Brew Your Own, and more. His Pilobolus photographs are in the private collections of individuals, the Hood Museum of Art and Rauner Library at Dartmouth College. He currently is working on the new edition of "Round Trip to Deadsville: A Year in the Funeral Underground." Visit www.earthponds.com

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great slice of counterculture!

[Isaac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hippies make "beer". Things beer related must have been dire in USA during the 70s.

[Steve]

This fun little book was kind of like a time capsule to look at the early history and mindset of homebrewing. The brewers and their recipes are maybe a bit quaint by today's standards, but I can dig their independent sprit.